Waterford manager Tom McGlinchey hailed his heroes after they claimed a first championship win in seven years with a historic victory over Wexford.

It was an emotional occasion for the Waterford players, management and handful of supporters as they celebrated at Innovate Wexford Park having claimed just their second qualifier victory, their first since 2011.

JJ Hutchinson of Waterford in action against Michael Furlong of Wexford. Photo by Matt Browne/Sportsfile

What made this all the more remarkable was that it came to the backdrop of a heavy Munster SFC loss to Tipperary, the defection of so many players for one reason or another, with the outspoken manager also condemning the GAA for not allowing them complete their league campaign - with one game in their division not played having originally fallen foul of the weather.

Wexford went into this warm favourites after an extra-time defeat to Laois, but Waterford entered the game on the back of an 11-point drubbing to Tipperary.

"It's fantastic. It's great for the players to get this reward," McGlinchey said. "We try so hard. We know we're in Division 4 and understand that, we wouldn't be considered one of the top teams. Over the last number of years we haven't had the reward. We've been close."

Waterford led for most of this game but still had to survive a late Wexford revival that looked capable of even bringing this game to extra time, and this despite the Model County trailing by seven points 12 minutes into the second half.

Eoghan Nolan of Wexford in action against Brian Looby of Waterford. Photo by Matt Browne/Sportsfile

On the next round, McGlinchey declared: "Bring them all on. It's fantastic for Waterford just to be in that second round. I'm just so delighted for the group of players and the Waterford GAA public.

"Hopefully we get a home draw the next day and the crowd come up to support us. The thing about us we don't do media bans and we don't do drink bans. We're definitely going to enjoy tonight."

A pointed free from Jason Curry in the sixth minute opened the scoring for the visitors.

After Donal Shanley and Conor Murray exchanged scores, Wexford landed three unanswered points through John Tubritt, Shanley free, and Eoghan Nolan to lead 0-5 to 0-2 after 13 minutes.

John Tubritt of Wexford in action. Photo by Matt Browne/Sportsfile

Waterford centre-back Shane Ryan then got on the end of a sweeping move to beat 'keeper Conor Swaine in a one-to-one with a low shot to the corner.

While Wexford battled their way back, JJ Hutchinson sent a rising shot to the roof of the net, giving his side a 2-6 to 0-7 lead.

But it was Wexford who finished the half strongly, kicking three unanswered points to trail 2-7 to 0-10 at the interval.

Kieran Power then increased the Déise's lead after the resumption following a brilliant run out of defence by Conor Murray.

Gavin Crotty of Waterford in action against Naomhan Rossiter, left, and James Stafford of Wexford. Photo by Matt Browne/Sportsfile

Tubritt and Shanley points kept Wexford in contention and they then staged a dramatic late recovery in the six minutes of additional time, largely thanks to an Eoghan Porter goal, but the response came too late.

man of the match

Tom Prendergast (Waterford)

Take your pick from a number of Waterford players. Tom Prendergast didn't just control midfield his stamina and energy saw him also help out both in defence and attack despite the sweltering heat.